As Syrian refugees pour into Canada, Canadians are preparing to embrace our new citizens and offer practical assistance from warm clothing to housing to English lessons.
The Canadian Bible Society is providing a resource to also offer spiritual help to refugees and immigrants who have lived through unbelievable hardship and uncertainty - and are now in the first days of their new life in Canada.
"On the Road" is a booklet available in Arabic, Farsi, French, Chinese and English and written in collaboration with people who have experienced the harsh realities of life as a migrant. This booklet is available in limited quantities, at no charge, to Canadian ministries working directly with refugees. The selection of Bible passages, divided into categories like Why Leave and A Difficult Journey, are presented alongside real-life stories of migrants and refugees and biblical accounts of God's people called to leave and endure life-transforming journeys.
"God has provided us a unique opportunity to respond to the needs of those who are coming to our shores," says Don Miller, Director of Canadian Ministry for the Canadian Bible Society. "We want to be prepared to respond with resources in the language of their hearts."
The seven chapters of "On the Road" correspond to different stages of the migrant journey and to finally settling in a new country. Each chapter contains several passages to read and think about, followed by thought-provoking questions. The Canadian Bible Society has also prepared a for-purchase pamphlet, "Words that Changed the World," based on the Beatitudes, offering the comfort and assurance that this beloved Bible passage has offered to readers for centuries.
Available also in bilingual versions (English/Arabic and French/Arabic) this resource will be available for approximately $10 for a pack of 10.
"Both of these resources are very suitable for churches and organizations who are sponsoring Syrian refugees directly, or also living in communities where refugees will be settling," says Miller. "On the Road" and the "Words that Changed the World" are available by submittingan order form either online or by mail. For more than 100 years, the Canadian Bible Society has promoted Bible translation, publication, distribution and engagement. It distributes Scripture resources in more than 100 languages in Canada and together with 146 national Bible Societies worldwide, distributes hundreds of millions of Christian Scripture portions each year.
